Special Coverage

Certainly Regal out to make amends

CALGARY, Alberta - Certainly Regal will be out to atone for her defeat in a March 24 half-miler when she faces five fillies and mares going six furlongs in Friday's feature at Stampede Park.

The 6-year-old Certainly Regal blossomed under trainer Don Gilkyson last year to win three races, run second four times, and earn $80,174. A narrow loss in the Sales Stakes last April 15 - she was beaten a head by To Dream Again, who went on capture a second stakes two weeks later - kept Certainly Regal eligible to the money condition of this allowance/optional $40,000 claimer.

Certainly Regal is rarely headed at the first call in her races but is the type of runner who takes a jump or two to get her feet underneath her, a habit that cost her in her opener. Certainly Regal was well beaten by two of her Friday rivals, but will benefit from the tightener and can be expected to rebound with a much better effort. She drew post 4 with regular rider Desmond Bryan up.

Certainly Regal's main rivals in the early stages of Friday's sprint should be Ebony Lady, a speedy mare from Ernie Keller's barn, and Cinnamon Brown, who was second going four furlongs here March 23 in her first start since May of 2005.

Cee's a Flirt, winner of four sprints last year in upper-level claimers, drew the outside post and should be rolling late under Quincy Welch. Howsitgoin and She's Twenty Below are closers who would benefit if a duel develops on the front end.